| Colocation is now one hot buzzword in the web | | | | needs. If you have the staff, you would want the |
| hosting industry. For some who have been into the | | | | facility to be nearer your business to reduce travel |
| setup, it simply means ease, less maintenance, and | | | | time. At present, colocation centers are mostly |
| more control over their web servers. The storage of | | | | located in larger urban areas near major network |
| your system in a well-maintained facility and which | | | | hubs. |
| you have access to greater transfers and smoother | | | | Compared to managed hosting, colocation is more |
| operations are big plus factors in convenience. The | | | | expensive. This is because of the costs in purchasing |
| amenities provided by colocation centers would have | | | | (or leasing) of software and hardware components |
| been very expensive if done in-house. | | | | alongside with the actual rent of space. There could |
| As in all things, of course, there is always an upside | | | | be extra fees for maintenance. |
| and a downside to the colocation setup. On top of | | | | Compared to leasing a dedicated server from a web |
| the list of advantages is the lowered cost of | | | | host, colocation needs a much larger capital |
| bandwidth and other related resources. This gives a | | | | investment. Again, this is because of hardware and |
| large potential bandwidth at a price determined by | | | | software costs coupled with that of actual space |
| the actual amount used. | | | | rentals. |
| Moreover, because of the redundant systems | | | | From a respected IT magazine, reports have it that |
| (including those of security) and multiple backbones, | | | | today's monthly costs of low-end quality servers |
| internet connections are incredibly fast. In these | | | | range from around $4,000, and $9,000 for those |
| setups, you own your hardware and software | | | | with mid-grade hardware. With half a rack of space, |
| components. (Installing and upgrading your own | | | | there is an additional fee of between $500 and $700. |
| software is not available in conventional web hosts.) | | | | For purchases of routers, switches and other vital |
| Colocated hosting also provides better protection | | | | network components, you may need to fork over |
| against power outages. These are guaranteed with | | | | around $2,000 for low-end models. Lastly, you need |
| backup generators, power sources, and internet | | | | to have a network interface card, an element mostly |
| backbones. This same provision is also true in terms | | | | overlooked when deciding on a colocation setup. |
| of security and internet connection. Other | | | | Of course, all these do not yet include your staff's |
| enhancements include fire detection and suppression | | | | wages, insurance, hardware depreciation or backup |
| systems, backup cooling, physical surveillance, and | | | | equipments. Like any other business moves, you are |
| multiple backbone connections. | | | | not supposed to decide whether or not you will use |
| There is greater flexibility afforded by these | | | | colocation until after you have evaluated first your |
| providers that surpasses both dedicated servers and | | | | personal requirements. From a practical point of view, |
| managed hosting. As a client, you can choose your | | | | you must cover all the bases before you decide your |
| own servers, your hardware, software and other | | | | move. |
| configurations that suit your system best. | | | | Colocation, like any other alternative in business, will |
| On the other hand, the biggest downside to | | | | always have its good and not-so-good points. It is |
| colocation is perhaps the unavailability of colocation | | | | only through your own assessment would you know |
| centers that is both reliable and one that suit your | | | | the correct choice. |